Tank-car construction.



T. W. ELDER, JR. TANK CAR CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT23| I9I4. u

PatentedV May 22, .1917.

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T. W. ELDER, JR. TANK CAR CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION man sEPT.23, 1914.

Patented May 22, 1917.

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Patented May 22, 1917.

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THOMAS W. ELDER, JR., OF AVALON, PENNSYLVANIA., ASSIGNOR TO PRESSED STEEL CAR COMPANY, OF EITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A QQRPORATION F NEW JERSEY.

TANK-CAR GONSTRUCIl-XON.

Spcification of Letters maar.

-PatenteaMay 2e, 1917.

`lation filed September 2a 1914. serial No. 863,159.

To all fio/wm t may concern.'

Be 1t lmownthat I, THOMAS W. ELDER,

. Jr., a citizen of. the United States, residing 'wise on the underframe, bands, which eX- tend over the tank, are anchored in the underi'rame. To prevent the tank from shift` ing longitudinally relative to the underframe, either head blocks which serve as abutments for the ends of the tank have been secured to the underframe, or some form ofanchorage located..- at or near the longitudinal center of the tank between the tank and the underframe have been used. For tanks of limited capacity such construction was in a general Way unobjectionable, but with the increase in the Size of the tank in modern tankccars, the center of gravity has been raised so far as to increase the danger of the car overturning, duc to unevenness of tracks, centrifugal force -When rounding curves at high speed and other Well known causes. Further, tank cars now in general use are so constructed that the draft rigging and line of draft therethrough are below the tank, which has necessitated the raising of the center of gravity in large tanks with the resultant disadvantages and dangers. 4

An object of my invention is to provide a tank car in which the tank shall have a very large capacity and at the same time have a lou7 center of gravity, whereby danger,

it' overturning or detailing of the car in transit will be minimized, and also to provide a structure which Will have the necessary rigidity and resistance to all strains which occur in service.

Another object of my invention is to provide a tank car construction in which the so called underframe is dispensed with, and to construct the tank and frameq in such a manner as te `prcwluce a combined. tank and frame which is capable of taln'ng care of the shocks due to buffing, pulling, etc., to which such cars are subjected inservice.

A further object ofv my invention is tov provide a tank car construction in Which a considerable portion of the tank extends below the line of draft, and at the same time relieve the tank structure of any strains caused by buing, pulling or other causes.

A further object of my invention is to so connect the tank and framing. that the use of head blocks or some other form of fas@ tening at or near the center of the can, to

prevent or counteract longitudinal movement of the tank relative to the underfraine,

will be unnecessary, the tendency to such movement being resisted by the engagement of the head plates of the tank with the members of the framing.

A further object of my invention is to provide means whereby, shocks due to longitudinal Wave motion of the contents of the tank, due to changes of speed of movement of the tank car, or sudden stoppages will be minimized. l

A further object of my invention is to provide means by which the heater pipes, which are installed in a large number of tank cars, may be suspended from the frame member inside of the tank, thus avoiding the necessity of securing the' pipes tothe shell of the tank, with the attendant danger ofploo'serivets causing leakage of the contents of the tank.

' In the accompanying drawings formingv -part of this specication and in which like reference numbers indicate like parts in all of the figures, Figure 1 is a `side elevation of a'tank car only a portion of the framing being shown; Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1', and Fig. 3 is'a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section of the tank and the portion of the framing which passes through the tank, the end portions of the tank being of a modified line 5-5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a vertical cross to the `tank when such bracing is found to be necessary, Fig. 8 is a Section taken on form; Fig. 5 is a vertical cross section on-v line 8`8 of Fig. 7, and-Fig. 9 Ais a plan view of the' car.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, 1 indicates the tank Which may be lof cylindrical or other Asuitable form, it being equipped with the; usual dome 2', safety' valves 3 and discharge valve l. 5 indicates the head plates ofthe tank which may be dished in form as shown in the drawings. 6 indicates the framing of the car which isv illustrated as consisting of two channel shaped members passing longitudinally through the tank and extendingover the trucks to the end sill or striking plate 7 attheend ofthe car. These members 6 are equipped with the usual bolster member 8 which is located in suitable lposition thereon to coperate with' the truck bolster with which the truck is equipped. The frame members 6' may pass through the head plates of the tank either at the diametral center of the tank or at any convenient and ysuitable distance therefrom. For the urposeof reinforcing the head plates ofpthe tank, a metallic member 9 is secured thereto by 'means of rivets or other suitable fastening means. This member 9 is provided with openings 10 of suitable shape to accommodate andfpermit the fra-me members 6 to pass therethrough, and also with suit-y I able gusset members 1l to stiii'en the meme ber9 and to make itsuitable for transferring the Weight of the tank and its contents to the framing members 6. To prevent leakage of the contents of the tank at the points Where' the frame members 6 pass through the member 9, electric Welding or soldering may be resorted to to fill up any space that may remain between the members 6 and the Which the members 6 pass, vand rivets may` alsobe used to secure the frame members 6 and the member 9 together at the points Where they are in contactv with each other. If necessary the frame members 6 Vmay be braced at points Within the tank by suitable members 12. n y

It'may here be explained that the expression frame members is used throughoutthis description and the appended claims ma broad sense, and is intended to includey not only a single but a multiple clement which performs the general functions `of aframe member longitudinally disposed and passing' lthrough the tank. l Y y Fig. 4 showsa modification yof my inven# tioniu A'which additional members 13 and 14 are added to make .the tank more secure against accidental leakage, 13 indicates. a plate of substantially circular .form which is riveted atits outer edge tothe head plateof the tank. 14. indicates amember ot" similar fol-m, the outer edge ofwhieh is riveted tothe inner edge of the member 13. Member 14 is further furnished with these heater Aperforations 10 through.v

with the usual `may beA of a diameter equal to or somewhat less than the diameter of the tanlL These plates 17 may or may not have perforations madetherein as shown in Fig. 6, the purpose of these members` being to prevent ex* cessive longitudinal u'ave motion of the contents of the tank, due to sudden stoppages of the tank or to changes of speed of movement of thel tank car, which causes severe shocks in tbe tank itself. 18 indicates the heater pipes which are shown as being suspended from the frame members 6,

thls being done `to avoid perforation of the tank shell to accommodate rivets by which pipes have generally been secured thereto. 19 indicates brace members for the purpose of bracing together the' tank shell and the frame members 6. These members maybe of any suitable number and distributed or disposed in any desired location` inside of the tank, being secured to the frame members 6 preferably by means gusset plates 20, and to the tank shell by means-of gusset plates 21, and tank shell stiifening members 22. l

The holsters 8,'secured tothe frame members 6, are braced together bymeans of dlagonal members or side sills 28, which may extend from 'the ends 29 of the bolster to the metallic head plate member 9, and may be'secured to the latterthrough the medium of the gusset member 11 in' any suitable manner. The members 28 may be extended beyond the bolster to the end sill.

7, and secured thereto in the usual manner. To further brace together the members of the end portion of the framing, additional diagonal braces 30 may be employed, extending from the bolster 8 to the end sill 7, and for the purposeI of forming an end platform and additionally tying together the members of the end portion of the framing,lthe members 31 and 32, preferably in.

the form ot flat plates, may beemployed. For the purpose of gaining access to the `dome' 2,-safety valvesB and discharge valve Yl of the' car, and also' to ffacilitate the passing of the trainmen from car to car, the car illustrated 'andn described is" equipped running boards 23, hand rails 24, ladders 25, ysteps "26, land grab irons 27.

It will ybe plain that the foregoing construction provides a tank car in Which the center of gravity thereof is dropped to substantially the lowest lpossible point, while maintaining the necessary resistance and rigidity to both bufting` and pulling stresses along the line of draft, as well as the necesstrains which would lateral and twisting tend to strain or spring the joints of the tankv and cause No material proportion of either the huiiing, pulling or twisting strains comes upon the joints of the tank plates, but is all taken Careof by the frame members 6. The or tion of the tank that extends below the line of draft is all utilized for load, the pr0- portion of the load displaced by the interior framing member being inconsiderable.

y invention is hereinabove set forth as embodied in one struction, but I do not limit it thereto or to less `than all the possible `forms in which the said invention as hereinafter claimed sary resistance to i may be embodied and distinguished from frame construction priordevices for like purposes.

Whatl claim is:

1. In a tank car, the combination with a of. a plurality of holsters i secured to said frame construction adapted irality ot *holsters adapted to cooperate with center line of said tank n extending between and ytops of `said holsters,

to cooperate with :trucks and a tank secured to said frame construction, the diametrical extending `longitudinally of the car, the entire length oi' said tank extending between said holsters, portions of said tank extendingbelow said bolsters.

2. In a tank car, the combination of a pluthe entire length of said tank above and below the the diametrical center line' of said tank extending longitudinally of the car.

3. In a tank car, the combination of a plu.

trucks, a tank,

rality of trucks and a tank, the entire length of said tankoextendingvbetween and below the tops of said trucks, the diametrical cen- .ter line` of said tank extending longitudiiially oii the car..

4. In a tank car, the combination of a' pluadapted to coperate with trucks, and a tank, the entire length of said tank extending betweenvand below thetops of said holsters, and the`dia1netrical center line of said `tank extending longitudinally ofthe car. i

5. In a tank car, the combination of a tank and a- `continuous frame construction extending through and secured to the head plates of said tank, said frame construction extending a substantialfdistance beyond the ends of said tank and fo'iuning platforms.

1 In a tank car, the 'combination of a tank and a frame constructionsecured t`o the head plates of said tank and out of contact with the shell plates of said tank. r'

7. In a tank car, the' combination of al tank and a frame construction extending longitudinally of the tank near its diametrical center, said frame construction being secured to the head plates of said tank, and holsters secured to said v'frame construction leakage.

'said tank, and being out of particular form of con only support for the tank the combination of a.. plurality of trucks, la tank having a portion .said trucks and a beyond the ends of said tank, said holsters being adapted to cooperate with trucks.

In a tank car, the' combination of a tank and a frame construction of flanged form extending longitudinally of the tank near its `diametrical center, said frame construction being' secured to the head plates of contact with the shell plates of said tank, and holsters secured to said frame construction, said tank being of less length than the distance between said holsters.

In a tank car, the combination of a tank and a frame construction, members oi' which frame construction extend through the head plates of said tank, and form platform supports at the ends of the car.

l0. In a tank car, the combination of a tank and a flanged frame construction, members of which extend continuously through the head plates of said tank, and holsters secured to said frame construction between the ends of said tank and the ends of said car, said holsters being in the horizontal plane'ot| said frame construction.

ll. In a tank car, tank and a frame construction, members of which extend through the head plates of said tank and from end to end of the car, and holsters secured to said frame construction 'between the ends of said plates of said tank and from end to end of.

the car, and holsters secured to said frame construction between the ends of said tank and the ends ot' said frame construction, the tops of said holsters being in substantially the same horizontal plane as the top of said frame construction. f

the combination of a.

tank and the ends of said frame construction, the tops of 13. In a tank car, the combination of a of trucks, a tank having a portion pluralityv below the tops of oi its length extending said trucks and a framing passing through the interior of saidtank, and forming the on the trucks. 14. Ina tank car,

of its length extendingbelow the tops of framing passing continuously through the interior of said tank and forming the only support the trusdks.

l5. In a tanky car the combination of a tank and an interior framing passing through said tank and extending beyond its ends to form platform supports, and a brac ing from said framing to said tank.

` 16. In a tank car, the vcombination of a tank and an interior channel shaped :framfor the tank on ing passing through the head plates of said tank, and bracing from said framing to said tank, and bolsterssecured to said frame construction between thc` ends of said tank and the ends ot' said frame construction, the tops oi' said bolsters being in substantially the saine horizontal plane as the top of said frame construction.

17. In a tank car, the combination of a tank and an interior framing passing through the ends of said tank, said framing comprising a plurality of channel shaped members and splash plates secured to said members within and independent of said tank. v

18. In a tank car, the combination of a tank and an interior framing passing through said tank and splash plates secured to said framing and independent of said tank. 1`

19. In. a ltank car, the combination of a tank and an interior framing passing through said tank and splash plates secured to said framing and independent of the shell of said tank.

20. In a tank car, the combination of a tank, and an interior framing passing through the ends of said tank and heater pipes suspended from said framing, but .riot in contact therewith. s

21. In a tank car, the combination of a tank. and an interior framing passing through the ends of said tank and heater pipes suspended from said framing and out of direct engagement therewith and independent of the shell of said tank.

22. In a tankcar, the combination with atankhaving substantially the same cross sectional area throughout its length, ot' a frame construction for supporting the entire weight of said tank, said frame construction passing through the head plates of said tank near its diametrical center.

23. In a tank car, the combination with a tank, of a frame construction passing through the ends of said tank, heater pipes in said tank, and means carried by said frame construction for supporting said heater pipes below said frame construction.

24. In a tank car, a tank, a frame construction passing through the head plates of said tank, heater pipes in said tank and a strap secured to saidframe construction for supporting said heater pipes.

25. In a tank car, the combination with a tank'. and head plates, of a flanged load carrying member passing `longitudinally through said tank and through said head plates, said tank having substantially the same cross sectional area throughout its `length..

26. In a tank car, the combination with a tank and head plates, of a continuous flanged load carrying member passing longitudingrllly through said 'tank and through said tending longitudinallyof the. car.

head plates, said tank having substantially the saine cross sectional area throughout its length. y

2T. Ina vtank car, the combination with a tank and head plates, of a flanged load carrying member passing longitudinally through said tank and through said head plates near the diametrical center ofsaid tank, said tank having substantially the same cross sectional area throughout its length.

28. In a tank car, the combination with a plurality ot' trucks, of a frame construction carried'by said trucks, bolsters connected with said frame construction and adapted to cooperate with said trucks, the tops of said bolsters being in the same horizontal plane as the top of said frame construction, and a tank secured to and carried by said frame construction, said tank being of less lengt-h plurality of trucks,of a frame constructionk carried by said truck-s and a tank irrem'ov. ably carried by said frame construction, the entire length of said tank being of less length than the distance between said trucks, the diametrical center line of said tankex- 31. In a tank car, the combination with .plurality of trucks, of a frame construction carried by said trucks, and a tank carried by said frame construction, the entire length of said tank being of less length thanv the distance between said trucks, and having a portion of its entire length extending below the tops of said trucks, the diametricallcenter" line of said tank extending longitudinally of the car. f

32. Ina tank car, end sills, a frame member extending from end sill to end sill, bolsters secured to said frame memberv anda tank carried by said frame member @of less length than the distancebetween said bolsters, said frame member passing, through said tank. 4

In a tank car, end sills, framemembers extending from end sill to end sill, bolsters secured to said frame members, a tank of less length than the distance between said bolsters carried by said'rame members, and side sills connected with said bolsters and tank. Y

34. In a tank car, end sills, flanged `fralne 13 o l than the distance between said bolsters, the

tance between said holsters. und a portion of the entire length ot' said tank extending below the tops of eaid holsters, the dinlnetrienl center line of said tank extending longitudinallyof the cnr, A A

85. ln a tank ear, a plurality of trucks, a frame member carried by Suid trucks, and n tnnk ot' less length than the distance between said trueks ,arried by seid frame member, :i portion-ot the entire length oiE said tank extending' below the tops oi said trucks, the dinlnetrieal center line of said tank extending longitudinally of the cnr.

` 3G. In a tank our, the combination With a tank, of a load Carrying member extending therethrough, wheels supi'iorting said load carrying member, said tank extending 1ongitudinally only between said Wheels.

37,. In a tank ear, the combination with n tank, ot a load carrying member extending tlieretln'ongh, wheels supporting said load eni'rving member, said tank hailing a length vless than the distance between said Wheels.

23S. .ln a tank car, the combination With a tank, of u load carrying member extending tlwretlirougli, Wheels supporting Said load carrying member, said tnnk having a length less than the die-tance between the inner Fai-,ee vof said Wheels.

ln testinioiqf whereof I affix myl signature in presence ot' tno Witnesses.

THOMAS W. ELDER, JR. lWitnesses FRANK E. MILLER, MARGARET SUMMERBELL'. 

